Fresh violence erupts in Kwara community

Fresh violence has erupted in Ganmo in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Sources told our correspondent on Wednesday that the crisis paralysed socio-economic activities, while shops and schools were hurried closed.
A source told our correspondent that some properties had either been vandalised or destroyed, while it was also feared that there might have been human casualties.
The source added that the clash might not be unconnected with the ongoing chieftaincy dispute in the area. He stated that the dispute, which he said, bordered on the rightful claimant to the traditional stool of the community, had polarised the community along two divides, as indigenes claimed they belonged to either Ilorin or the Igbomina stock in the southern part of the state.
Another source said the current violence started when some people allegedly tried to stop people reconstructing their buildings, which were damaged during a similar crisis early this year.
The source added, “They tried to stop the people hired to repair the buildings that were burnt during the last crisis. The attackers claimed that nothing ought to be done on the properties until existing litigation over the dispute had been resolved.
“But the other people too mobilised support and the violence escalated.”
Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Olufemi Fabode, confirmed the fresh clash but said he was not aware of reports of casualties. He, however, said he was still awaiting an official report from the Divisional Police Officer of the affected area.
Meanwhile, the state government has warned that the full weight of the law would be brought to bear on anyone or group, who under any guise violated the ongoing peace process in Ganmo.
Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Sola Gold, in a statement on Wednesday, appealed to the affected Ganmo people to remain calm and law-abiding.
He said all relevant issues surrounding the disputed Onigamo stool remained suspended until the final determination of all pending court cases on the traditional stool.
He warned the people against taking the law into their hands.
He added that all aggrieved parties should rather report any outstanding issues on the disputed stool to the police or seek redress in the court.
He also warned that any contrary action by anyone or group no matter how highly-placed will be regarded as an act of criminality and will be dealt with according to the law.